R.W. Kern Center

11/22/2021

Need a recap of what happened at this year's UN COP 26 conference? RWKC Intern Bruce Prescott has you covered. Visit the RWKC website for the full summary, as well as how Living Buildings can support some of the COP agreements.

This meeting sets the global agenda for the fight against climate change. Many world leaders spoke highly of the progress made through this meeting. Others were not happy, like youth climate activist Greta Thunberg, who summarized the events of COP 26 as “Blah, blah, blah...”

It was made abundantly clear by many leaders that global warming must be limited to 1.5ºC as soon as possible; in order to pursue this goal, nations agreed to cut CO₂ emissions by 45% by 2030.

Projects like the Kern Center support the Sustainable Development Goals set in place by the U.N., which in turn help provide a road map for the sustainable transition outlined by COP attendees.
https://sites.hampshire.edu/rwkerncenter/cop-26-summary/

11/05/2021

Meet Bruce, one of our two new RWKC interns!

Bruce is a Division II transfer student interested in studying aerospace engineering, astrophysics, and (possibly) nuclear engineering/physics. Bruce was drawn to the RWKC internship to learn more about sustainable building; he’s interested in learning more about the Kern Center’s air source heat pumps and composting toilets, and in finding ways to incorporate similar techniques in other buildings old and new to save energy. Moving forward, he would like to apply his learning to understanding the environmental impacts of space travel and how to make those processes cleaner here on Earth and in our orbit.
https://sites.hampshire.edu/rwkerncenter/meet-bruce-fall-intern/

10/28/2021

Interested in regenerative landscapes? Come help build one at the R.W. Kern Center orchard, 12pm Monday 11/1, as part of student Arlo's long-term project to transition the orchard lawn into a more sustainable and regenerative environment.

Arlo will lead volunteers in spreading cardboard and mulch to build up the soil and cover over the existing grass. Wear clothes you can move and stay warm in, and bring water. Contact Arlo in advance (apz20) if you have gardening equipment you can bring. CEL credit available!

10/13/2021

Interesting upcoming panel: Climate Change Past, Present, and Future: Perspectives on Time and How We Respond to Our Changing Environment
"This GRCx program, hosted by the Green Ribbon Commission, will feature three different expert perspectives on how their perceptions of climate change have been shaped and why it is an urgent threat. The panelists will explore Western and Native perceptions of time, how we value and approach our relationship to land, how our brains do (or don’t) process large-scale phenomena like climate change and long time spans, and how climate change has shaped Boston over the last 10,000 years."

Even though climate scientists are clear and consistent that burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases that warm our atmosphere and cause grave harm, people seem to have difficulty responding rationally to that information. Why? Research from the field of psychology suggests that humans have ev...

10/12/2021

Tomorrow @ UMass, 11am-12:15pm

Join Juniper Katz (UMass Amherst, School of Public Policy) and Aaron Deslatte (Indiana University, School of Public and Environmental Affairs) for an ISSR Scholars Seminar: How Do Cities Pursue Green Housing Equity? An Organizational Capabilities Approach
https://conta.cc/3DhROCl

10/05/2021

Want to learn more about the R.W. Kern Center? Take a tour!

Join us virtually or in-person to learn about rainwater collection, natural greywater treatment, composting toilets, renewable energy and more ways our building contributes to a better environment.

Register today: https://sites.hampshire.edu/rwkerncenter/tours/

09/28/2021

Attn: Hampshire students:

The R.W. Kern Center is seeking a student intern. The RWKC Intern will work with the Program Director on community and campus outreach, as well as on research or engagement projects that align with the student’s areas of interest and career goals. Please read the full description and requirements below to learn more.

https://sites.hampshire.edu/rwkerncenter/rwkc-internship/

09/07/2021

Tonight, 7pm! Guest Lecture in Sustainable Design by Professor Beth Ferguson (F96) of UC Davis Adapting City Lab.

Beth Ferguson (F96) is an ecological designer whose practice blends industrial design with sustainable transportation, solar engineering, climate resiliency, and public engagement. She is the founding director of the Adapting City Lab, assistant professor of design at the University of California Davis, and director of Sol Design Lab.

The Adapting City Lab is a research and design group creating urgent climate adaptation solutions for the post-petroleum urban environment. They work on active mobility infrastructure, solar energy placemaking, climate adaptation strategies, sustainable product prototyping, and creative civic engagement.

Learn more: https://adaptingcitylab.ucdavis.edu/

09/01/2021

Attention Hampshire College students, staff, faculty and community members: we're seeking models to be in new R.W. Kern Center photos.

These photos will show the building in use; if you're not comfortable showing your face, we also need hand-washing, button-pushing, flower-picking hand models.

Hampshire students can get CEL-1 credit or a work-study stipend for hours worked; all models will receive an RWKC insulated travel mug and our sincere gratitude.

When: Wednesday, September 8th, from 7am-2pm (stay for 20 minutes or the whole shoot; it's up to you)

If interested, please contact Sara Draper: [email protected] or x5949

08/31/2021

Interested in net zero/zero carbon building and climate resilience? Register for NZ21 for virtual tours of net-zero buildings, education sessions, and CEUs.

Free and need-based tickets available.

NET ZERO + ZERO CARBON + CLIMATE RESILIENCE AGRICULTURE + BUILDINGS + ENERGY + FASHION + MATERIALS + PERSONAL CARE + TECHNOLOGY + TRANSIT + WASTE + WATER REGISTER HERE The Net Zero Conference is back in 2021 as a hybrid event: Tuesday 9/14 + Wednesday 9/15 | Virtual Educational Sessions, Keynotes, a...

08/26/2021

RWKC intern reflection: Meredith

Mer started as an RWKC intern in fall 2019, and working on communicating building science through art. Upon graduating from Hampshire this spring, Mer sat down to reflect on their time with the R.W. Kern Center.

"The most rewarding aspect of the R.W. Kern internship this year was pushing to create more effective social media, especially by drawing connections between events in the world (i.e. COVID) and systems in the building.

I also enjoyed the hands-on work in the raingardens and the indoor greywater planters; seeing a tangible way I had personally improved the RWKC made me feel very connected to the building.

I deeply value the ‘web’ of relationships the R.W. Kern Center internship has brought into my life…it helped me to feel much more connected and supported at Hampshire and into my career path beyond school."

We miss you Mer! Read the full piece here: https://sites.hampshire.edu/rwkerncenter/2401-2/